"As a new president of a pro-choice organization, I want more media scrutiny on this case. Because that's the only way we're going to turn these anti-choice extremists' crocodile tears into policies that actually protect women by not throwing up obstacles for them getting safe, legal abortion care."

Ilyse Hogue, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, stopped by MSNBC this morning to talk with Thomas Roberts about the ongoing trial of Kermit Gosnell:

"I think the American people join me and [NARAL Pro-Choice America] in being outraged that this man was able to operate for years, preying on poor women who desperately needed safe and clean medical services...I get up and go to work every single day to make sure women get the care that they need and aren't driven into back alley abortion providers like Kermit Gosnell."

As we say again and again, anti-choice politicians clearly didn't learn their lesson from the 2012 War on Women. As a result, those politicians are launching wave after wave of legislative attacks on choice in the states this year.

These range from "personhood" legislation and unnecessary and burdensome TRAP regulations to unconstitutional outright abortion bans.

Far from chastened by their setbacks last fall, the anti-choice movement has redoubled its efforts and will clearly stop at nothing to take women's advancements in reproductive health back to the Middle Ages.

Ilyse Hogue, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, stopped by MSNBC to talk with Thomas Roberts about current anti-choice attacks in the states:

"What we're seeing is a disturbing pattern. Women in America are living in two vastly different realities. Some places where they actually have the full range of reproductive choices that allow them the independence and autonomy that we define as uniquely American, and others where [anti-choice politicians] are saying 'No, you're a second-class citizen, and you're not allowed to make the choices that men would make between them and their doctors.' What we know as women, is that we are people and we will fight for our choices, and we'll fight to make these choices with our families and with our doctors."

What these anti-choice politicians try to forget is that advocates for women have the values of freedom and privacy on our side.

Last night, NARAL Pro-Choice America hosted our Roe v. Wade 40th anniversary dinner. This year's event was particularly special, with Nancy Keenan giving her final address and Ilyse Hogue making her first speech as president of NARAL Pro-Choice America.

"Women are thinking bigger thoughts and dreaming bigger dreams for our families and for our futures than ever before. But we cannot do that unless our foundational rights are secured. And those foundational rights will not be secure until we challenge our political leaders to match policy to the real lives of real women today."

Ross Mathews of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and E!'s hit late-night talk show, Chelsea Lately, was our emcee for the evening, and had everyone laughing away:

"Am I crazy? It's 2013, not 1913, right? Let's get real. We are all here tonight because we share a deep common value: a belief in women's freedom and privacy."

This year's event theme was "Every Decision Has a Story." We introduced our new campaign Choice Out Loud, and shared its first initiative, "40," a stop-motion film of 40 pro-choice faces photographed by an incredible range of advertising, fashion, editorial and news photographers.

Stories were front and center this year. Dana Weinstein shared a heartbreaking story about receiving the diagnosis of a severe fetal abnormality late in her much-wanted pregnancy. Dana explained how difficult it was to get the care she needed. Ever since her tragic experience, Dana has been a courageous advocate for protecting a woman's right to choose:

"I am deeply grateful to NARAL and the women and men just a generation before mine - many of whom are in this room tonight - who fought for decades to gain abortion rights. Your support of the pro-choice movement made it possible for me to have a choice about what was right for my family. And now, it is my generation and the ones that follow that need to raise our voices, become involved, and actively join this fight."

Of course we know that electing pro-choice leaders is the best way to protect this right. That's why we were thrilled to have scores of pro-choice members of Congress in the room including Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D - IL), who introduced Nancy Keenan.

Our keynote speaker, Stephanie Cutter, deputy director of the 2012 Obama campaign, spoke about the importance of political action and the challenges that lie ahead. She thanked Nancy Keenan for her dedicated work over the last eight years and welcomed Ilyse Hogue:

"It was the way we responded, rose up and rallied together that made this past year so remarkable. It was the fact that we didn't just make this a question of choice; it was a question of respect and independence. It wasn't just political, it was personal.

Ilyse, as you grab the torch that is being passed to you, I know you'll be bringing with you a unique understanding of the power of grassroots organizing and the power of our voices. And I want you to know that we have your back."

The audience agreed with thunderous applause.

We couldn't be more grateful for the opportunity to hear remarks from such an amazing group of pro-choice leaders and activists. And we're ready to take on the anti-choice challenges that lie ahead.

Nancy Keenan, former president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, will hand off the organization to new president Ilyse Hogue at the Roe v. Wade anniversary dinner this week.

My time as president has officially come to an end, and I will say the fondest of farewells to our supporters, my coworkers, and friends at our annual Roe v. Wade anniversary dinner tomorrow here in Washington, D.C.

Before I head off on my next adventure, I wanted to take a moment to say thank you for eight amazing years of fighting for women's reproductive freedom and privacy.

Together, we've accomplished so much thanks to your strong commitment and willingness to take action in support of a woman's right to choose. Here are just a few highlights:

Since 2005, we have lobbied more than 50 votes on choice-related issues in Congress and worked in partnership with our affiliates on more than 4,000 choice-related bills in the states.

In 2008 and again last year, we played a leading role in sending President Barack Obama to the White House and electing other pro-choice champions across the country.

We fought relentlessly to improve women's access to birth control - and we won when the Obama administration adopted no-cost birth-control coverage.

Most recently, we helped convince Congress to lift the ban that prohibited servicewomen who become pregnant as a result of sexual assault from using their military health plans to cover abortion care.

I have every confidence in the changes to come for the organization. And I know that I can count on you to stand by Ilyse, help her grow our base, and protect a woman's right and access to abortion for decades ahead.

Thank you again for your unparalleled support, commitment, and friendship. Your work in the pro-choice movement will be recognized and appreciated by generations to come.